as in bays
a part of a body of water that extends beyond the general shoreline
a secluded cove that smugglers once used
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Recent Examples of coves
Find the dramatic red cliffs of Praia da Falésia and wild surf in Arrifana, along with calm seas in the coves near Carvoeiro.
—
Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025
Yet visitors can still find secluded stretches and coves of golden sands and craggy coastal formations, some of the best tidepools anywhere and about 2,400 acres of beach and backcountry that make Crystal Cove a favorite of naturalists.
—Greg Mellen, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Wander the walking trails, picnic by the water’s edge, or dive into coves.
—Jeryl Brunner, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Liguria, the region of northwest Italy perched on the Portofino coast, offers countless picturesque villages and coves to explore.
—Francesca Longoni, Architectural Digest, 16 Sep. 2025
The Camino del Norte follows Spain’s wild coast, with cliffs, coves, and fishing villages, while the Camino Primitivo winds through rugged mountains, misty valleys, and remote hamlets.
—Hayley Domin, AFAR Media, 10 Sep. 2025
The landscape includes deciduous forests as well as lakes, coves, waterfalls, and caves.
—Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025
Mallorca, popular with visitors from around the world for its sheltered coves and limestone mountains, offered an easy adjustment.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
Another notable individual is a female known as Flame, who has been sighted 695 times over the past 20 years — more than any other humpback — mostly in the coves, bays, and inlets around Juneau, Alaska’s capital.
—Big Think, 26 Dec. 2024
Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025
Yet visitors can still find secluded stretches and coves of golden sands and craggy coastal formations, some of the best tidepools anywhere and about 2,400 acres of beach and backcountry that make Crystal Cove a favorite of naturalists.
—Greg Mellen, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Wander the walking trails, picnic by the water’s edge, or dive into coves.
—Jeryl Brunner, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Liguria, the region of northwest Italy perched on the Portofino coast, offers countless picturesque villages and coves to explore.
—Francesca Longoni, Architectural Digest, 16 Sep. 2025
The Camino del Norte follows Spain’s wild coast, with cliffs, coves, and fishing villages, while the Camino Primitivo winds through rugged mountains, misty valleys, and remote hamlets.
—Hayley Domin, AFAR Media, 10 Sep. 2025
The landscape includes deciduous forests as well as lakes, coves, waterfalls, and caves.
—Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025
Mallorca, popular with visitors from around the world for its sheltered coves and limestone mountains, offered an easy adjustment.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
Another notable individual is a female known as Flame, who has been sighted 695 times over the past 20 years — more than any other humpback — mostly in the coves, bays, and inlets around Juneau, Alaska’s capital.
—Big Think, 26 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coves
Noun
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On the seventh floor, which houses 33 private infusion bays with TVs, a woodsy scent filled the air.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
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Located right outside of town in neighboring Moss Point, the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve offers 18,000 acres of pine savannas, salt marshes, bays, bayous, and salt pannes to explore.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In partnership with Leave No Trace, Martin County offers the tours for free, helping visitors discover the natural beauty of the coastline’s mangroves, estuaries, hammocks, and trails.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
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The salt marshes and estuaries are a magnet for migratory birds, whose colorful plumage rivals the blaze of bold leaves.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Coves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coves. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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